Abidjan

1. Abidjan pilot boarding place Pilot boards05°12.7′N 003°60.0′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 399.99m, beam 61.5m, draught 11.5m, 281,456DWT.

Offshore: LOA 350m, BCM 150m, draught 21.0m, 300,000DWT.

Water density

Variable, from 1000 to 1025, depending on season.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Tide Levels: Mean Spring Range 0.6m, Mean neap Range 0.4m.

Tidal streams: At the entrance to Canal de Vridi, the stream sets onto the W bank during the ebb which, with the swell, causes a heavy backwash. Vessels should be prepared to use max power and pay close attention to steering. This applies particularly to loaded tankers which should have a positive trim. The stream can attain a rate of 6kts.

Passage through the Canal can only take place when the tidal stream is running at less than 2kts. At Neaps, this is any time but at Springs, it is from one hour before to one hour after HW and one hour before and half an hour after LW.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is situated on a lagoon and is connected to the sea by a buoyed channel, Canal de Vridi, 200m wide at its seaward end and 370m wide for the remainder of its length.

On arrival, the dredged depth is 13.5m and maximum permitted draughts on entry are 11.5m for a max LOA of 280m and 9.5m for a max LOA of 250m.

During heavy swell the max draught is reduced to 9.0m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The VTS Zone is a circular area, radius 1nm, with its centre on the Fairway Light Buoy. Vessels may only enter this area after instructed to do so by the Port Control Centre.

Vessels are forbidden to enter the VTS area without the prior authorisation of the Control Centre to anchor, except in the case of an emergency (force majeure). Vessels departing, should follow the routes given by the Control Centre, in such a way as not to restrict the approach of vessels entering the port.

Traffic signals are displayed form the signal station located at the N entrance to Canal de Vridi. Entrance and exit times are given by the port radio service.

Vessels should attempt to arrive at the entrance to the Canal de Vridi at HW.

Anchorages

Vessels awaiting a pilot must anchor W of the meridian through the S entrance point to Canal de Vridi, at a distance greater than 0.5nm from the coast. Good holding ground, sand, in depths of more than 20m. Large vessels are recommended to anchor 1nm off the coast in depths of 40-50m.

Prohibited anchorage: Within the VTS Control Zone surround the Fairway Light Buoy. Entry is also restricted here. Anchoring, dredging and trawling are also prohibited in a cable and pipeline area extending 14nm SSE from the shore in the port approaches.

Restrictions

Vessels over 200m in length must comply with certain conditions. Due to adverse conditions of swell, current or tide, the actual times the port is open for traffic vary at the discretion of the Chief Pilot. Abidjan Radio broadcasts the opening times every hour.

During periods of heavy swell, the max draught is reduced to 9.0m.

Vessels should endeavour to arrive at the entrance to Canal de Vridi at HW. Passage through the canal can only be effected when the stream is running at less than 2kts. At neaps this is at any time, but at springs it is from 1 hour before to 1 hour after HW, and 1 hour before to 30 minutes after LW.

Overhead power cables, with a vertical clearance of 66m, span Canal de Vridi 0.5nm NW of the signal station.

Submarine cables cross the canal 0.3nm, 0.5nm and 1.1nm NW of the signal station.

PORT BOUET TANKER TERMINAL: Only vessels using the tanker berths at the terminal should enter the Restricted Area.

Tugs

Compulsory. Tankers are required to take 2 tugs.

Mooring

The inner harbour contains a serious of mooring buoys for larger vessels (A to M) up the Baie du Banco.

Charts and publications

BA 3103, 3101, 3100, 595, 4209. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).

US 57064, 57063, 57060. NGIA US Sailing Directions 123 (Southwest Coast of Africa).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be sent 24, 6 and one hour prior to arrival. Vessels arriving at night should inform the port before 1600hrs on the previous day of arrival.

Vessels at the outer anchorage should maintain continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 or 16, at the inner anchorage vessels should listen 1000-1030hrs.

ETA for Terminals (SBM and MBM): Vessels must send ETA 72hrs and 24hr in advance via Agent and must keep Agent informed of any change of ETA. The Master must also contact the Abidjan Harbour Master the day before arrival at Vridi Roads and at least 6hrs before arrival to confirm ETA.

Communications

Outer Anchorage: Vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 or 16.

Inner Anchorage: Vessels should listen between 1000hrs to 1030hrs Local Time on VHF Ch 12 or 16 (notices are given out after the daily port meeting).

Flags

Every vessel should be clearly identifiable and fly its national flag. The Ivory Coast courtesy flag should also be flown.

For security purposes, vessels must not be left unattended and must be manned at all times. Unauthorised visitors, including prostitutes, are not allowed. Bartering is not permitted within the port.

Repairs

Available. All types of repairs can be effected. Divers are available and underwater repairs can be effected.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel, diesel and gas oil available by barge.

Stores: Fresh and frozen provisions available.

Medical

Centre Medical Arraja Abidjan Riviera in Abidjan, 27km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Abidjan International airport, 8km.

Airport facilities: Passenger and freight services.

Nearest railway: Abidjan.

Working hours

Normally 0730-1200hrs, 1430-1730hrs. Overtime available on request.

Where it is

Abidjan is situated 170nm E of San Pedro on the Cote d'Ivoire.

The port

Abidjan is principal port of Cote d'Ivoire and is one of the largest and most modern ports on the West African coast. Abidjan is also a major transit port for Mali and Burkina Faso.

Exports: Cocoa, coffee, cotton, groundnuts, rubber, timber, fruit, fish and frozen/tinned vegetables.

Imports: Include oil, machinery, foodstuffs, building materials, steel, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The port includes the areas of Banco Bay, to the N, facilities to the S along the Canal de Vridi, Locodjo and the Port Bouet Tanker Terminal.

Traffic

Approx 46,600,000 of cargo, 1,690,000TEU and 5,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Abidjan?

The pilot boards at Abidjan pilot boarding place, 05°12.7′N 003°60.0′W.

What time zone is Abidjan in?

Local time at Abidjan is UTC+0. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Abidjan?

The deepest berth listed is at SIR Refinery (Port Bouet Tanker Terminal): 21.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Abidjan?

Variable, from 1000 to 1025, depending on season.

Which load line zone is Abidjan in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Abidjan?

The UN/LOCODE of Abidjan is CIABJ.

What crews who called at Abidjan say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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